a tuesday...

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It has been a while...

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I usually spot one rattlesnake per year at TFL, but I haven't seen one since 2019. Last night this guy was coiled up right next to the faucet of a water tank and I spotted him just before I reached down to turn the faucet on. I "dispatched him" with my 22 rifle. Easy to put the barrel right up to his head and end him quickly and precisely without causing damage to the rest of the body. He was rather small at only 30". I don't like to skin them right away because a dead rattlesnake will keep moving for about an hour. I prefer to bag and refrigerate it overnight before skinning. 97,102,72,0,B

Yearly kill....

In 11 years at TFL, I have averaged one rattlesnake kill per year.  Was last night's the only one for 2019?  And FYI - if you tell me I shouldn't kill them because they keep down the rodent population - you have no idea what you are talking about.  69,96,71,0,B

Let the bidding begin...

For Sale:  Western Diamondback Rattlesnake skin.  40" long.  64,72,55,0,B

Rattler Rascal...

First rattlesnake I have seen in over a year at TFL...and the biggest at almost 4' long (he is a lot shorter without his body).  76,82,49,0,C

Puddle Rd.

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Rattlesnake Season

Went out to feed the roosters yesterday morning and found a rattlesnake...the first of the year at TFL.  He appeared to have gotten stuck trying to slither out of the pen through the chicken wire.  Unfortunately for him the relocation program for varmints has ended - and rattlers don't get a pass anyway.  I have found that my .22 rifle is the euthanizer of choice.  Very easy to give one safe distance shot to the head, then a shovel to remove the biting part.  I ended up having to cut some of the chicken wire to get the body out.  I bagged it and stuck it in the fridge for a couple of hours to wait for it to stop moving.  Skinned it later on that afternoon and found that the reason he got stuck was because he was trying to digest a big mouse.  The "lump" kept him from going forward and his scales kept him from backing up.  The rodent in his gut kinda put me off from chopping him up to cook for a meal.  I just happened to have the skin curing ingredients on hand for just such an occasion.  Soaking it in 3 equal parts of distilled water, isopropyl alcohol, and glycerin for 3 days then will tack it down to dry in the shade for a week.  A final rub down with a bit of leather conditioner and it will be finished.  67,79,59,0,W

your feed dollars at work

Bought the first official feed for the boys today with ingot money. They have a nice big round bale coming this weekend.  Thank you again for helping feed Ben and Bud.

Mixed up a magic potion to tan the snakeskin from the recent kill.  I learned this from the rattlesnake hunters that came out last year for the film shoot.  Three equal parts - distilled water, glycerin, isopropyl alcohol.  Soak for 3 days then stretch out to dry.  I finished off the skin from last year with some Bick 4 Leather Conditioner before I mailed it to Ben Fogle back in England.

Kinda missed my Ebay sterling searches so I checked out some recent listings - found a deal too good to pass up.  Got over a pound and a half of soup spoons for a future project....perhaps some sterling coins.

Carl and the girls got their favorite dinner tonight...shredded cabbage and carrots with quinoa.
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new glass/new snake

Got my tempered glass for the new solar ovens today.  Very impressive packing job they did.  http://www.onedayglass.com/  Also got some bits from Harbor Freight including something to help my old man eyes see up close for upcoming soldering.  Went shopping this afternoon at my friend Mikey Sklar's online store.  Ordered his battery charger/desulfator kit to evaluate.  http://store.holyscraphotsprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=107

Well...here is rattlesnake #3 that I have killed at TFL in 4 1/2 years .  This one was right next to the SW container door.  85,107,70,0,B,0

 Next Benita Memorial Tshirt order includes his rattle. 

snake in the grass

Had another close encounter with a rattler this morning. Watched him for awhile until he uncoiled and decided to come toward instead of away from the house - then I shot him. Went on with the morning chores of feeding the birds and Benita. Ryan came by and when I showed him the fresh kill - he showed me how to skin it. Now I have a new talent to add to my list of desert living skills.

Gave a tour of the Field Lab to a nice bunch of folks this afternoon. They got the deluxe package including meeting my pet longhorn and viewing a freshly skinned rattlesnake. The girls where a bit put off though at the idea of an outdoor toilet and no television...

Finally got around to picking up all my tools that have somehow scattered around the grounds. Managed to clear some clutter as well. Took a nap, had dinner, then finished stacking the other half of the east entrance. Now I can't wait for Monday morning....